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owen_train

bathroom tiling question - half Matt / half gloss ok?

Owen Train
2 months ago

Hi all - I’m getting a shower and screen fitted to my family bathroom in my new house( my kids are currently showering in my en suite, so it’s a priority to get done asap).

The bathroom guy has found a near match to the tiles in the picture, but they’re a bit brighter, and they’re gloss (existing are Matt). We can’t find an exact match.

The plan is to put a 5cm (ish) white border across the top of the existing tiles, and tile up the rest of the way with the glossy ones. Think this will work? I’m afraid I’m not gonna like it.

Featured Answer
  • Owen Train
    Original Author
    2 months ago

    I’ve bitten the bullet, and will just re-tile the whole bathroom so it looks good

    Comments (45)

    • Sonia
      2 months ago

      I’m not sure about mixing gloss and matt. How about simple matt tiles of the same size above those for within the shower? Or remove all the tiles and have something you really like. I don’t think the cost will be huge.

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      I don't think you are gonna like it either. A thick white border between the two types will only accentuate the difference in tile finishes so in that case its not worth trying to match them. I would rather have plain white tiles above them. Removing the tiles is a horrible messy time consuming job (I am currently looking at the exact same problem) so as you are looking for a quick cost effective solution just pick a plain white tile. It looks as though you have a metal finishing strip please don't add thick white to the tiling. I'm also not sure if shower panels might be an option. It has to be quicker than tiling.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      I’ve got a week before he starts so some thinking to do 🤔

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      What are shower panels?

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      If you have a look at Victoria Plumb or one of the large bathroom suppliers they do waterproof panels which can be in a huge range of colour options, are waterproof and I am hoping can be cut to size. Have a look see if you like any of them as a quick solution. The only thing is I have never used them so do not know how thick they are? If they are thicker than the tiles then it won't look right. I also wonder if toughened glass fixed to the wall might be an option? Easy to clean and would waterproof the wall. I'm not sure of the practicality or cost though? It might also be expensive. Takelakt plaster is waterproof but requires expert specialist appliction and cost is also a factor.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      So would a matt white, same size tile with no border look ok do you reckon?

    • Jonathan
      2 months ago

      I would have the tiles off the long side of the bath- with luck enough can be reused at the tap end of the bath and then you can tile the long side of the bath with something different. Personally I would avoid a strip around the room as it makes the space feel smaller, it’s a dated idea. I would tile the long side of the bath in a tile that is the same size but is Matt and a different colour.

    • PRO
      SPEAK
      2 months ago

      Hi Owen,


      A very good morning


      A few suggestions for your review:


      - You might want to add a central border which features the two opposing colours of the existing beige and proposed white tiles, and then add the same border elsewhere in the bathroom space to give a streamlined effect.


      - It would be most beneficial to remove the existing tiles and start from scratch - even if you select a plain white matt or gloss or Silk (preferred to open up the space) tile finish, this might add a slight increase to your overall budget but it will pay dividends if you are spending to have all this work completed for a final look you are not happy with!


      - Try clearance tile places for tiles offering great discounts with bulk purchases. There is no greater magic than obtaining a great discount on one part of your project of which you can then assign that spend to something else you also like, a win - win :)


      https://outlet.johnson-tiles.com/product/tile/AA4015ATMO4A017


      https://www.tileflair.co.uk/offers


      https://www.tile-clearance.co.uk/clearance-tiles/


      https://www.waxmantileshowroom.co.uk/clearance-warehouse/


      https://www.tilewarehouse.co.uk/


      https://www.tilemountain.co.uk/


      - In addition a 'silk' tile finish is an option for you and your family from a functional perspective - it is midway between matt and gloss and will provide a modern reflective feel, without the need for constant buffing as is the case sometimes with gloss option tiles.


      Hope this helps!


      Have a great day


      Warm and best wishes


      Team SPEAK


    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      As speed seems to be of the essence I would tile up to the ceiling with a plain white tile. Skip the white strip. The size is down to availability and your preference. Any removal of old tiles will add mess and delay as the bath will probably have to be removed as it may be damaged by the tile removal. You want to waterproof the wall using what is already there so tiling higher is the fastest most economical route. Are you planning to keep this bathroom as is for a while? I would choose a quick option if you are planning to fully renovate it sometime in the future. If you have no plans to do that then rather do a proper job now and replace all the tiles at once. This will take more time though as well as removal of existing tile costs.

    • Jen
      2 months ago

      This sounds like a very good plan! As an aside, it’s a more modern look and more versatile to not tile all of the bathroom walls floor-to-ceiling, if that’s what you meant by ‘whole bathroom’. And, as others have said, protect your bath well when the old tiles come off.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Thanks Jen. Yeah, I’m not going to go floor to ceiling, just need to go up to ceiling round the bath. What colour/style does everyone think? The floor is cream, so I’m thinking white or cream..

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      ..

    • Jen S
      2 months ago

      It’s an awful photo as it’s about 15 years old, but I had a new bathroom in my flat when I moved in and then knocked out the wall that the old hot water tank had been behind and put in a toilet - we couldn’t find matching tiles so chose brown ones in a similar style. It looked good when it was finished and like a feature (not obviously a work around 🙂)

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Looking at these from topps

    • Jen S
      2 months ago

      I’d check what condition they come in - I’m not sure if they’re the same but I ordered some similar a couple of years ago and over half were cracked. They were to replace cracked ones on a bathroom floor that we’d just moved into but in the end we left it as we felt they’d just crack again and couldn’t afford to retile the whole bathroom!
      I’m not sure if that’s common with travertine generally or I was just unlucky.

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      If they were cracked on delivery they should have been replaced. If they are laid properly they definitely should not crack. I have had limestone for many years and no cracked tiles. If it is upstairs then marine ply should be used underneath the tiles to provide a stable flat base. I have tiled upstairs with slate too which is very brittle and never had a cracked tile.

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      Some good advice here.

      https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-much-of-my-bathroom-should-i-tile-stsetivw-vs~123361809

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      So the cost is getting way over budget now. It’s going to be £3100 for retiling the walls, fitting a rainfall shower, and a screen. Does this seem too much?

    • Jonathan
      2 months ago

      Yes.

      To tile a whole bathroom should be £1200. And I bet the tiles you bought cost only £200.

      A bath screen costs £450 for a good one and should take no more than a couple of hours of labour in install.

      A rainfall shower could be complex if you intend to run it through the ceiling and you want a shower pump….. but I bet you are just talking about adding a shower mixer to your bath taps which could be up to £500. So it sounds like you have a slow worker who wants you to pay the same hourly rate as an experienced one who will complete the job in half the time.

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      That seems extremely steep to me. What timeframe were you promised? Is that including the cost of the tiles?

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Is £1200 about standard for the bathroom tiling then? As he’s itemised that as £1250 which seems about right. Should have mentioned he’s also installing a rainfall shower in my en-suite. So actually, it’s probably not far off

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Right, the guy’s here and the old tiles are being stripped. I’m replacing with 60x40 standard Travertine. The tiles are huge. Should I go brick pattern (offset) or straight? I’m thinking straight as they’re so big

    • Jonathan
      2 months ago

      Another vote for straight here

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      Straight no question.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Thanks both. Straight it is! Also - I’m going up to the ceiling around the bath. How about the window sill? How high should I go? Was thinking of going up to the ceiling there too

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      I would stop at the windowsill height after the shower and bath as you might want to replace the basin with a vanity unit and you will need a mirror on the wall. Mirrors are usually easier to fix to a plastered painted finish. I would use the windowsill as a natural stopping point.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      So just replace up to where they currently are? About 10cm up from windowsill?

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      Yes if thats the simplest. You could also stop in line with the windowsill rather than above. It depends on your tiles. Try and finish on a complete row if possible. Lay them out before fixing and see what looks best. It looks as though you have a shelf. I would replicate what was there before with the new tiles if possible.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      The tiles are 40cm high so they’ll need to be cut to replicate what was there before. I think it makes sense to at least cover what was there before just because what will be left is the debris from the stripped tiles

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Oh and tiles horizontal or vertical? I’m thinking vertical

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      I think horizontal suits the bath better but entirely your choice. Hold them up and see what you prefer. Whichever finishes closest to what you had before. You don't want to have to make good a leftover strip of old adhesive as well as retiling. Think about a metal edging strip too (if required) as the plastic ones are hideous.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Hmm, yeah I see what you mean, as the bath is the main feature of the bathroom maybe horizontal is best. I have a day to think about it.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      He’s suggesting no edging strip as the tiles are natural stone, so should look good as is

    • Isla Cherry
      2 months ago

      Great suggestion. I always had to beg my builders to skip the edging strip. Will look great without. Find out if they need to be sealed as natural stone is porous.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      2 months ago

      Yep, it’s being sealed like 3 times. Then I’ll need to treat every year or two

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      Long story, but tiling day has finally arrived. So we’re going horizontal, but where should the tiling start, the edge or the middle? Are there any tips on this please?

    • Isla Cherry
      last month

      You usually start in the middle and work out towards the edges. This does require more cuts as both ends usually need to be cut. I assume you are talking behind the bath? Another option is to start with a full tile in the innermost corner and work out. Get the dimesions of the bath and work it out with the size of your tiles. Your tiler should have some ideas but don't let them take the easy way out. You have to like the finished job and live with it. If there is not an obvious way to go then sometimes it is down to individual preference. If you use the factory edge in the corner then you know it is straight.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      Tiling is nearly complete and looking pretty good I reckon! The only detail that’s bothering me is 2 cuts are not flush with the edge of the wall. Am I being over fussy? Do you think grout will fill in the gap?

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      ..

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      Finished!

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      Thanks for all your advices!

    • Isla Cherry
      last month

      Looks great you must be so glad its finished. Did the tiler finish the edge to your satifaction? It's is such an improvement on what you had before.

    • Owen Train
      Original Author
      last month

      Thanks Isla - yeah he filled it with grout and I think it looks alright. Overall I can’t fault the work, I think he did a really good job. My only reservation has been the cost and the time he took (3 weeks, of which he was absent all but about 4 days). So not sure whether I’ll try and haggle the final price. Main thing is it’s done and my kids can have a shower now!

    • Isla Cherry
      last month

      That's the problem with relatively small jobs such as your tiling. Tilers/plumbers have to balance the work with other jobs which means it is difficult to get it all done at once. Sometimes it is better if you can save up all the jobs and get everything done at once. That said there is an order of works and adhesives take time to set. Great result though.

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